Just did something really stupid. Need advice

[dpgllg]

Hello,

I was attempting to mount a TV mount in the bedroom of our 5th wheel and when drilling the pilot hole it was really tough drilling and then all at once it gave way and I ended up drilling through the outside wall. The hole is about 1/4 inch and it is completely through the gelcoat. You can see through it to the outside.

What is the best way to repair this? I am literally sick to my stomach about this.

Thanks!

Dave

[Xflyhighx]

That’s what I did. TV is rock sold and it looks like it belongs.

[joshuajim]

If the hole is at the proper location inside for the TV mount, why not make a mistake into an asset. I would get a carriage bolt of sufficient length to go through the wall and fasten the TV mount with it. A little touch up paint on the head and you will have the most secure mount possible.

[S_Davis]

The 5200 is good stuff, I have a koi pond and used it to seal pipe penetrations no leaks after 11 years 4' under water.

[RJsfishin]

dpgllg wrote:

RJsfishin wrote:
Its hard to believe that you would fret,.....much less post over such a little bitty mistake,...that can be fixed 20 different ways is about 2 minutes.
You better hope you NEVER make a serious mistake, you will never survive it !

OP Here,

I want to thank you for your understanding and compassion. You are truly one fine righteous person that we should all look up to and try to emulate. Your comments were so helpful!

As far as surviving I have managed over the years to make it through both multiple heart attacks and strokes and 5 vessel bypass surgery just to name a few. So if drilling a hole through the side of my almost brand new 5th wheel upsets me and provokes you this much to make your comments then to bad. Your the one I feel sorry for.

Dave

Sorry you took my statement so harshly. I more expected a reply like,..........
"Yeah, you probably right, I really am making a big deal over nothing"

[profdant139]

Someone wrote that "it is hard to believe that the OP would fret" about this. I fully understand the OP's distress! Frankly, my trailer is my very favorite personal possession of all time -- it is essentially a family member. And I think that a lot of us feel that way. The first time I dinged the exterior, I was pretty upset. After the 100th time, not so much.

The poor thing has been dragged through thorn bushes (pinstripes!), raked by tree branches (decorative foliage!), splattered with stainful bugs (camo!), etc. Whenever DW catches sight of me touching the latest painful blemish, she says, "Don't worry -- chicks dig scars!" 😉

[Bumpyroad]

drill bit stops, harbor freight, $3.99 for set of 7.
bumpy

[wnjj]

DanKirk wrote:

profdant139 wrote:
OP, if I had a nickel for all of the ICD ("inadvertent cosmetic damage") I have inflicted on my poor trailer, I could afford a new unblemished trailer! But what fun would that be?

Here is an easy tip for avoiding "drill-through:" Put a little flag of masking tape on the drill bit to show "this far, and no farther." When the flag hits the wall, stop!

Don't ask how I learned this trick.

Another option is to slide a socket over the drill bit that only allows the bit to penetrate as far as you'd like. Once the bit bites, the socket will stop it from going too deep.

Yeah, the OP said it gave way and went through all at once so tape wouldn’t have helped. I’ve used a block of wood before. Drill through and leave it around the bit as a shoulder.

[dpgllg]

RJsfishin wrote:
Its hard to believe that you would fret,.....much less post over such a little bitty mistake,...that can be fixed 20 different ways is about 2 minutes.
You better hope you NEVER make a serious mistake, you will never survive it !

OP Here,

I want to thank you for your understanding and compassion. You are truly one fine righteous person that we should all look up to and try to emulate. Your comments were so helpful!

As far as surviving I have managed over the years to make it through both multiple heart attacks and strokes and 5 vessel bypass surgery just to name a few. So if drilling a hole through the side of my almost brand new 5th wheel upsets me and provokes you this much to make your comments then to bad. Your the one I feel sorry for.

Dave

[Bumpyroad]

Edd505 wrote:
After the 5200 try a couple of these for conversation. https://www.ebay.com/bhp/bullet-hole-stickers

I have one of those over a parking lot grocery cart dimple in my dakota door. have to look very close to tell it is fake.
looked good? on a black one of those small chrysler retro cars a few years back.
bumpy

[Edd505]

After the 5200 try a couple of these for conversation. https://www.ebay.com/bhp/bullet-hole-stickers

[RJsfishin]

Its hard to believe that you would fret,.....much less post over such a little bitty mistake,...that can be fixed 20 different ways is about 2 minutes.
You better hope you NEVER make a serious mistake, you will never survive it !

[Bumpyroad]

DanKirk wrote:


Another option is to slide a socket over the drill bit that only allows the bit to penetrate as far as you'd like. Once the bit bites, the socket will stop it from going too deep.

I have a set of various sized stops that slide over the drill bit and tighten with an allen wrench.
bumpy

[westend]

Dave,
Sounds like you have the fix to your problem. If you wanted an "invisible" fix, marine service guys can do the job. They would back up the hole with foam or paper, fill with fiberglass and then apply a gel coat. The gelcoat is mixed from small color samples so that a match is made to the faded finish. I've watched this being done and the hole is gone after the expert finishes.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Tip about 5200. It isn't storable. Once open soon spoiled. Buy the smallest size you can get away with.